Creating Love One Card at a Time

July 2016 entries

Jul 29, 2016

How is everyone this fine Friday evening? I am coming to you rather late today. Not the original plan; but all's well that ends well they say. So I'm glad to have been able to have a little more time to put together today's card design at a little more relaxed pace. And I hope you don't mind getting this a little later in your day.

It's Mojo Monday [MOJO458] challenge time! I enjoyed playing around with today's sketch, and creating something I hope is unique and different. I pulled out a new stamp I've been itching to ink up, and even more fun -- used the gorgeous Copper embossing powder today. Ready to play? ;-)

Layerothology. This card base is cut from Very Vanilla cardstock, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4". I was putting together a silk floral bouquet earlier today with bright yellows and oranges and coppery browns, and I just felt so inspired. It's late summer, and I love the feel of these "warm" colors. So when I was looking for a designer paper for the backdrop to my fabulous little pineapple today, I settled on the Moroccan DSP. It was like a light bulb went on in my head, and I realized that this collection of papers has all those warm tones and how well they all play together. This piece is backed by Delightful Dijon cardstock which is naturally that deep warm gold/yellow; and I added the Crushed Curry in the little snippets for a brighter contrast.

Pineapples and Banners. Don't you just love this little pineapple?! And pineapples are so on trend right now! This stamp is "full size" let me tell you!! I fits across the front of this card as the main focal point just beautifully. I stamped this image in versamark ink, then embossed it with the new Copper embossing powder. It just glows! LOL Not only that - the size of this image makes it so easy to "fussy cut" as you can see here. I just love it!! The pineapple is popped with dimensionals on the front of the card. I pulled out the Banners for You stamp set and the coordinating Bunch of Banners framelits dies and created a simple and sweet sentiment for the front of the card. I matted the inside of the card with the same Delightful Dijon cardstock, and left lots of Very Vanilla "open space" to write a nice note to a dear friend! What a perfect "all occasion" card.

I think this picture showcases the copper pretty well against the nice warm yellow gold background.

Wondering where those fabulous brushed gold sequins come from??

I snagged them from my Tin of Cards card kit -- fabulous!!!

Well, I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I hope you enjoyed today's card design as much as I enjoyed creating it! I hope you will all find some time this weekend for a little creativity.

REMINDER: BONUS DAYS ARE ALMOST OVER!!!

For each $50 you spend July 7 - 31, you will earn a $5 coupon to redeem in August! Hurry -- time is almost up!! There is only a couple days left to take advantage of this fabulous promotion and save up those coupons for your August shopping :-)

Jul 28, 2016

Happy Thursday! How is everyone doing this week? I've been balancing time between my regular job and some "vacation" hours this week. I have started attacking some "clean out" projects around the house and other things that have been on the back-burner a long time. As I've been contemplating life over the past several days, I've come to the realization that I have been having trouble juggling all the balls I have in the air; and that this has been the case for awhile. Things that I love have fallen to the wayside simply due to necessity, whether that is the ability to have time to do a deep clean in certain areas of my home, or work on home improvement projects, or even just curl up with a good book and enjoy some quiet hours. Life has just become too overwhelming and I'm feeling the burn out. I'm sure many of you have experienced the same at different points in your hectic lives.

You may have noticed that I did not do an Ask Wendy Wednesday post yesterday; and that really was a last minute decision on Tuesday evening as I was working through a rather involved project I started on Monday. And through the course of yesterday I have made the decision to step back just a little bit from the "daily grind" of my Stampin' Up! business and the daily blogging and designing I've been trying to maintain, and allow a little "breather" for myself for the remainder of this Summer season. So, it is my plan for just the next month or so (don't worry -- it won't be too long ;-) ) to step away from a Wednesday and a Thursday post each week (depending on what's on my schedule and how I'm feeling), and take a much needed break. I'll still be around on Monday, Tuesday and Fridays; and maybe something else occasionally, we'll see. Otherwise, I'm going to spend some down time, concentrate on some other things in my life, and try to regroup for the upcoming Fall season. We have a new Holiday Occasions catalog on the horizon, and I want to feel refreshed and ready to jump in; because I have already seen the "sneak peaks" -- and you are going to adore what's coming!! So hang in there with me my fellow stampers. We'll continue to play; but let's take a little break together and spend some time with home, family and friends and find some "refreshment." Sound good??

I do have just a little post for you today -- because I promised this to you on the weekend! And I really did want to spend just a little more time playing with the beautiful Serene Scenery DSP. This paper is to die for, and has so many possibilities! Especially by just stamping on and using the paper itself to create beautiful, quick, and simple cards.

Today's notecard set is made using the Serene Scenery designer series paper stack, and the fabulous Whisper White and Crumb Cake notecard/envelope sets. I love these sets of 20 precut, pre-scored note cards with matching envelopes for their ease or use in whipping together a quick set of cards in no time at all. No cutting, no scoring, no fuss!!

And this set of "Photo Realistic" paper makes card designing even easier!!

This paper is so incredible -- stamp right on it and you have everything you need for a beautiful card.

Here is an absolutely stunning piece from this paper collection.

By stamping right on the paper with the beautiful Wetlands stamp set, you can easily and quickly create this gorgeous card.

You know I love my layers, so I have a background "mat" layer of Island Indigo, 3 3/8" x 4 7/8".

You can maximize your designer paper by cutting it in half at 3". Then just trim off from the top and bottom until you get it to 4 3/4" in length -- that way you can control how much you take of the "sky" or the "beach"

I picked a coordinating piece of DSP from the collection, cut a 3/8" x 4 3/4" strip and then lined it all up on the Island Indigo; wrapped a simple piece of Linen Thread (perfect for a beach card), and adhered everything together and then to the front of the card.

The sentiments are from the Tin of Cards stamp set (last year's collection). Fabulous, isn't it?? I absolutely love this design, and look how it works well with any sentiment you choose.

This incredible paper makes things even easier.

This is matted with Delightful Dijon cardstock in the same measurements.

Cut you DSP the same way, but this time, I used a piece of Gold Natural Trim in place of the Linen Thread.

And the bold beautiful sentiment stamped in Archival Basic Black is from the Layering Love stamp set.

I did a little extra stamping on the designer paper here using the Vintage Leaves stamp set and Old Olive ink, stamped off once first; just kind of laid into the bokeh look of the paper.

Don't you just love that??

REMINDER: BONUS DAYS ARE HERE!!!

For each $50 you spend July 7 - 31, you will earn a $5 coupon to redeem in August! Hurry -- time is almost up!!

Jul 26, 2016

Good Mornin' my fellow stampers!! How is everyone today?? :-) I've been hitting some clean out projects around here pretty hard all of a sudden! Finding a lot of dust in the corners too which has me pretty disgruntled and all . . . Seems like it's time for a "clean sweep" of sorts, and start thinking about some Fall cleaning soon. In the meantime, a little more organization has moved forward in the Studio Makeover (whoooo hoooooo), and we're stepping ever closer to the end goal which has me very excited!!

It's time for our Weekly Roundup and reminders, so let's saunter off and see what all is happenin' out there in the Stampin' Up! world . . .

EARN IN JULY; SPEND IN AUGUST!! Time's Almost Up Stampers! Don't miss out on this incredible promotion!!!!

For every $50 USD you spend* between July 7 and July 31, you’ll get a $5 USD/$6 CAD Bonus Days coupon that you can use between August 2–31, 2016. This is a great opportunity for you to get items from your wish list, whether you buy them now or with your coupons in August, so spread the word. This is the very first time we have offered this type of promotion, and it’s a deal everyone will want in on! It's the perfect time to "earn bonus dollars" toward your next orders in August -- and free is perfect every time!!! :-)

Note: Bonus Days coupon codes will be delivered via email, so an email address is required to participate in this promotion. We cannot resend emails with coupon codes, so make sure you save the email and write down the codes in a safe place so you don't miss out on the coupons you earn.

*Participants will receive a Bonus Days coupon code via email for every $50 USD/$60 CAD th

ey spend in a single order (catalog price before shipping and tax).

Details

An email address is required to participate in this promotion; Bonus Days coupon codes can only be delivered to participants via email.

We strongly recommend that participants both save emails containing their Bonus Days coupon codes AND write down the coupon codes in a safe place—the codes cannot be resent if the participant loses the email, and Demonstrator Support cannot recover lost codes.

Participants will receive a $5 USD/$6 CAD Bonus Days coupon code via email for every $50 USD/$60 CAD they spend in a single order (catalog price before shipping and tax). There is no limit to the number of coupons participants can receive per order or throughout the duration of the promotion. There is no limit on the number of coupons participants can use on an order during redemption.

Bonus Days coupons codes can be used in the checkout process during the redemption period.

All order types qualify for this promotion. Coupons can be redeemed on any order type.

All order types qualify for this promotion. FOR FAX AND MAIL ORDERS, email addresses must still be provided in order to qualify for Bonus Days coupons during the promotion period. During redemption, be sure to include your coupon codes on your fax and mail orders.

Bonus Days coupon codes can be redeemed for any product, excluding Starter Kits and Paper Pumpkin subscriptions. New prepaid Paper Pumpkin codes can be redeemed.

Dates

Promotion period: July 7–31, 2016

Promotion Deadlines:

Phone/Fax/Mail: July 29, 2016 by 6:50 PM (MT)

OEX/Online: July 31, 2016 by 11:50 PM (MT)

Redemption period: August 2–31, 2016

Redemption Deadlines:

Phone/Fax/Mail: August 31, 2016 by 6:50 PM (MT)

OEX/Online: August 31, 2016 by 11:50 PM (MT)

COMING AUGUST 2nd, 2016!! IT'S ALMOST TIME! We have a brand new, limited edition stamp set and coordinating die set coming in August Just For You!! You are going to adore this beautiful set, and it will only be here for a limited time!! So start planning NOW!! You can get the exlusive, limited-time Thoughtful Branches bundle between August 2nd and August 31st while supplies last. Check out my Sneak Peak! This limited-time bundle is only available during the month of August while supplies last, so don't wait!! When the bundle goes "live" on August 2nd, get ready to push that "Order Button"!! :-) And guess what!!! You can use your Bonus Days coupons to purchase this set too!

IT'S THE ABSOLUTE ULTIMATE BUNDLE!! Join Stampin' Up! and my Paper Pups and enjoy a minimum 20% discount on all your personal orders. There are so many wonderful perks to being a part of Stampin' Up! You can order $125 worth of products for your $99 starter kit price (plus you get free shipping on your Starter Kit). And you can put anything you want into that Starter Kit!! I would adore having you as a part of my group, the Paper Pups. Check out all the perks and details today at my Become A Paper Pup page -- and don't hesitate to contact me with questions. I am here to help you with your stamp/ink/paper passion :-) Don't wait another minute!!

CREATIVITY IN A BOX! There are so many wonderful things about the Paper Pumpkin subscription, that I just can't even list them all. If you haven't given this fabulous little monthly subscription a try yet, you are missing out! It's so easy and so worthwhile -- 30 minutes of fun to set aside for yourself each month. You can learn more about Paper Pumpkin HERE. Not only do you get everything you need to make a fabulous little project in this all-inclusive kit, the exclusive stamp set that comes in each month's kit is only available in the monthly kit subscription and cannot be found anywhere else. The stamp sets alone are worth more than the price of the kit!! Fabulous!! Don't wait!!! You'll just LOVE it!

You must be signed up by the 10th of the month to receive this month's kit!! July's kit was absolutely fabulous and we'll be showcasing some Paper Pumpkin fun here on the blog very soon!!

REFILL AVAILABLE. If you are a current Paper Pumpkin Subscriber, one of the perks has having exclusive access to the PP refill kits. You can click HERE to order your extra Refill today!! I love having refills; it means more playing!!! :-)

TIME FOR A SALE OF THE SALE!! My Annual Studio Clean Out Sale is in full swing!! From Today, July 26th thru Friday, July 29th, ALL items still available on the Sale Page are an additional 30% off their listed price!! Hop over to my Sale Page, and check it all out; grab some goodies for yourself before they're all gone :-)

COMING SOON!!!Stay tuned my stampin' friends. DDS Studios is planning a roll-out of a brand new Stamp Set of the Month Club for this Summer -- Details will be coming soon! I hope you will join me for crafting fun all in the comfort of your own home!!

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, you can order your supplies in my online store here. Thanks for looking!

Jul 25, 2016

Welcome Monday!! How was everyone's weekend? Did you have a chance to sneak a peak over at the DDS Facebook page and see our little group in action Saturday afternoon?? ;-) We had a great time eating Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and putting together the Oh Happy Day card kit!! What a fabulous kit!! And it really was a lot fun! As it always is when this fabulous group of ladies gets together.

It's Paper Players [PP305] challenge time. We have a sweet little sketch challenge this week. I decided it is time to pull out the fabulous Serene Scenery designer series paper stack and start playing. I've been putting off playing with this designer paper; I absolutely love this set of paper, and it has so much possibility -- it is just so gorgeous!! We'll be back to visit regarding this paper a little bit more later in the week!

Layerothology. This card base is cut from Thick Whisper White cardstock, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" - a regular side-fold card. The beautiful background paper is matted with Old Olive cardstock, 4 1/8" x 5 3/8". In fact, I almost stuck with just Whisper White and Old Olive on this card; but the decided to pull in some Delightful Dijon for just a little bit of a pop of color. The popped center strip is 4" x 1 1/4" -- a piece of the DSP matted with Old Olive also and popped with dimensionals for some depth to the design.

Sunburst Sayings. I just thought this stamp set was perfect against this designer paper. I gritted my teeth and decided to be brave and bold, and I stamped one of the "background" images from the stamp set in Delightful Dijon directly on the designer series paper (stamped off first of course). Does it look okay? The very simple sentiment is cut with the fabulous Layering Circles Framelits and overlaid the center piece. I added Brights Enamel Shapes and Clear Wink of Stella to dress the whole thing up, but keep it somewhat clean and simple.

Turn to the Inside. The inside of this card design carries forward the theme from the front of the card with the DSP, and let's the recipient know how much they brighten your day!! What a sweet and lovely way to "brighten" someone's day and let them know how special they are to you. I was able to create this entire card out of one piece of 6" x 6" DSP. Pretty cool, huh?! :-)

If you haven't snapped up this designer series of paper yet, you are definitely missing out! Click on my ShopOnline Icon to the right of the blog, and place your order today!!

Don't forget that we are almost to the end of Bonus Days!!

You don't want to miss out on earning free Bonus Bucks for every $50 in orders you spend.

Have a fabulous day everyone! We'll be back tomorrow to round up all the specials and promotions for the week at Stampin' Up!

Jul 22, 2016

TGIF!! So glad to have reached the end of the week. How about for all of you? I'd love to have a good nap this weekend :-) We'll see what happens; the list of chores is long!! I'm sure it is for you too. Maybe a good movie, curled up with someone you care about? That sounds nice too. I'm sure Miss Sadie Ann and I will also try to get in a walk or two. Maybe even the doggie park for some play time with BFF's (best furry friends ;)). I hope you have some nice plans ahead for your weekend as well!

It's time for the Mojo Monday [MOJO457] challenge. This week's sketch had me standing at my stamp closet for quite awhile contemplating the possibilities. I hope you like what I settled on.

Have you looked at the sweet little stamp set, Feather Together ? It's a brand new one you can find over on page 108 of your new catalog! I think it's pretty terrific myself. The incredible sentiments in this set are absolutely the best. What wonderful cards you can create from this set for the special people in your life. So this card design today is chock full of all kinds of new and wonderful products that you need in your stash, trust me!! :-)

Feather Together. These cute feathers have indeed been "fussy cut" -- but it really wasn't that hard to do; so don't let it overwhelm you. I stamped these three feathers in Blushing Bride, Sweet Sugarplum and Rich Razzleberry - the coordinating colors in the designer paper. The other somewhat cool thing about this set is that the feathers are a little bit of a 2-step stamping set; check it out and you'll see what I mean. I actually stamped the "frame" feather, and then one of the other feathers inside of it. Very fun!! How did I create this sweet feather bundle? I "fussy cut" each feather; put fast fuse on the back of each feather, then laid on the Whisper White baker's twine; then I used the Blushing Bride baker's twine and tied it around all 3 strings to create my little feather bundle. The back feathers were secured with dimensionals; the front feather has been allowed to lay loose.

How about a closer look? ;-)

Notice that wonderful sentiment, stamped in Rich Razzleberry and cut and layered with the wonderful Layering Squares Framelits! Don't you just love it??

Instead of creating some "triangles" as represented in the sketch, I placed a cascade of pearls instead - my favorite of course.

And finished off the rest with strategically laid pearls as well!

I wanted you to have a better look at how lovely this embossing folder backs the designer paper and the whole ensemble!

Do you love it ?? ;-)

Turn to the Inside. This teeny tiny feather is also a part of this cute stamp set. It is stamped in Rich Razzleberry and Blushing Bride. So simple! And what a great way to have the space to write your very own message to the special someone.

This is such a fabulous color combination together! Pull these colors out and give them a try!

You'll find you love it!

I hope you have enjoyed today's card design, and will go check out these wonderful new products. There is so much wonderful new stuff to play with here! Click on the "Shop Online" icon on the right-side of my blog to order all these supplies today! Don't forget -- our current promotion where you earn $5 for every $50 you spend -- what a great way to earn those 'bonus dollars" towards your August orders! Not much time left to take advantage of this fabulous promotion.

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Disclaimer(s)

Disclaimer(s)

The content of this blog is the sole responsibility of Wendy Klein, an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator. The use of and content of any posts, classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
From time to time I may use non-Stampin' Up! products in my creations. I will list these items in my recipe lists for your knowledge, but I am not marketing these items in any way for sale or otherwise, and cannot sell you any of these items. If you like something you see, you will need to locate the distributor of that item on your own and purchase that item from that entity separately.